by: Rachel Caine

Number of pages: 320

Unknown (Outcast Season Book Two)
I love this book and love the series. My only “complaint” is the non-stop pace. I simply can’t catch my breath as I read these books.

A continuation or offshoot from the Weather Wardens series, the “un” books star ex-djinn, Cassiel, who was stripped of her almost god-like djinn powers to be a mere mortal. Well, that’s not completely correct. She has some powers, but they are dependent on the life energy gifted to her by a warden.

Not all wardens would be so gracious to give her power, but Luis Rocha does.

He also is helping her track down his missing niece, and uncovering the mysterious abductions of several children. All of these children are linked by one or both parents being a Weather Warden. The special powers they have from their parents’ is being used against the djinn, the humans, and the planet.

Non-stop mayhem, a slowly evolving mystery, a really complicated baddie, and potential romance makes this book a must read for weather warden-lovers.

Overall book rating: 8.75

by: Mario Acevedo

Number of pages: 368

This was another new author challenge book.

Usually modern vampire stories are written by women, but Acevedo brings a unique twist to the standard. Ex-Operation Freedom vet, now vampire, Felix Gomez has turned to “normal” life as a detective.

His vamp powers add a twist and provide an edge to the standard detective. He’s called to Rocky Flats, Colorado, by an old friend to investigate the cause of an outbreak of nymphomania.

Really, nymphomania… that’s a problem, right?

Before you think this is an erotic romance, think again…it is a detective story with an edge and a lovely one at that.

Gomez bumbles almost as badly as Columbo, but, like Columbo, has a method and it works.

What works better is Acevedo’s writing. It is brutally honest, direct, and poetic. Where else can you get a line like this:

No mistress of the dark, she looked more like a matron of the refrigerator.

I LOVED it! Thanks to Jackie from LE for turning me on to this author.

Overall book rating: 9.75

by: Shana Abe

Number of pages: 335

This rich story, although not the first of a series, is an amazing gem.

Told partly in fairy tale, and in the tale’s period of mid-1700’s Europe, the fantasy revolves around the legend of the Drakon.

These lost people have legendary powers, but have hidden from the world due to the greed and ambition of man. Amalia Langford is the daughter of a Drakon alpha, and she can hear the future. The foil to her power, Zane, is a master thief who knows about the Drakon secrets, and how to destroy them. An unlikely pair, fate has conspired to pull them together to find a mystical blue diamond with the power to enslave Lia’s people.

The building story, along with the pair’s obvious growing infatuation, contrasts with the genuine hopelessness of the situation. Lia doesn’t know if the man she’s fallen for is going to enslave her and use her to destroy, or if he truly loves her. As the story is revealed, the reader roots for the seemingly impossible happy ending.

Delicately written and wonderful, this is a story not to be missed. I loved it.

Overall book rating: 9

by: Angie Fox
Number of pages: 308

The wild and wacky life of Lizzie the Demon Slayer wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Las Vegas to keep her Fairy God Uncle from marrying a succubus.

Intrigued? You should be. This paranormal universe is unlike any other on the market. The character is more Kindergarten teacher (her former profession) than Vampire Slayer, and the loony trail of Biker Witches that help her are unlike any other leather-clad sidekick. But the true side-kick award goes to little Pirate, who’s plucky-dog-sense gets him a bit of demon pant leg and a whole lotta trouble.

But before you despair completely, there is a shiny-bad-boy griffin (he looks like a greek yum yum model so it’s bonus time!) who rides along side Lizzie, giving her the support and lovin’ every Demon Slayer needs.

Overall book rating: 8

by: Cherry Adair

Number of pages: 310

I liked the flawed characters of this book. Despite unbelievable scenarios, the pair of T-FLAC operators discover almost as much about themselves as they do each other. This makes for a wonderful pairing.

Fireworks and bombs, and ancient Egyptian digs combine with a fiery red-headed heroine, and her stoic, but sooo manly hero.

I’m not poking fun, the pair is wonderful despite the potential cliché.

Great book for action romance lovers.

Overall book rating: 7.75

by: Christine Feehan

Number of pages: 361

Wow!

Feehan has a delicate touch, and has mastered it with this book. Despite the focal pair being literally torn apart, they have truly two of the most complete character developments I’ve read. The slayer, Ivory Malinov, has every right to be a vicious animal with no remorse. Yet her character shines with warrior valor. (no wimpy heroine in this one folks!)

And her leading man, Razvan, is the true balance to Ivory’s steel. His quiet strength and self-sacrificing nature creates a harmonic that blends into brilliant writing. The love story is not hurried, the big-bads chasing the pair aren’t bloated and pompous, the supporting characters aren’t overly saccharine. This is one of the best books of this series. It should appeal to both lovers of the Dark Carpathians, and newcomers to Feehan’s unique gentleness.

Lovely, tough, and satisfying.

Overall book rating: 8

by: Toni McGee Causey

Number of pages: 341

I don’t know how to rate the character believability for these books.

Bobby Faye is unlike any heroine you’ll ever find. She’s ballsy, yes, but a walking tornado. Mayhem and explosions follow her like baby ducks.
And the story, oh! Loved the twists, the triangles, the plot unveiling. This is an amazing action mystery with a touch of romance that rampages through the backwaters of Louisiana like alligators in April. (read book to understand reference) Bobby Faye has a limited amount of time to deliver her great-great-something-grandfather’s iron (yes, iron) tiara to a mobster who has kidnapped her no-account brother. But she loves her brother and would walk through swamps, salt mines, junkyards, exploding oil rigs, and even through the net of FBI and local police, to get it to him in time.
Add in gun-runners, a mysterious man who is in the “acquisition” business, bank robbers, and ex-boyfriends and you have one of the best books written. If you can keep up.

I love this stuff!

Overall book rating: 9.5

by: Angela Knight, Diane Whiteside, Emma Holly, and Lora Leigh

Billed as “Four stories of limitless desire…” Beyond the Dark promises near-erotic romance with a bite of paranormal exoticy.

By far, Holly’s story was the most unique. Instead of being rooted to this world and the limitations of standard paranormal fare, the mix throws in aliens, ancient Egypt, erotic god powers and a steamy story line.

Leigh’s installment of the breed series ties up a few loose ends and opens the door to better heroes. Instead of being entirely ruled by the mating heat, the leading man allows his captive intended a choice.

Dragon Dance by Angela Knight was amazing and had great potential as a jumping off point or introduction to a promising series.

Whiteside’s story would appeal to Regency lovers who desire a bit of magic.

Overall book rating: 7.5625

by Kat Richardson
pages: 352
(part of the Literary Escapism New Author/League challenge)

In overview, my introductory step into the Grey was engaging, and an act of will power since I kept getting pulled away to do the mundane normal world stuff like work and help with the grand-baby. By the time the big build-up climaxed, I was distracted and left standing on the outside looking in, rather than being immersed in the story.

On the back cover:

Harper Blaine was your average small-time PI until a two-bit perp’s savage assault left her dead—for two minutes, to be precise.

This simple incident leads to a series of increasingly bizarre encounters. At first, Harper blames it on the knock to the head she received, but as things get weirder, she fears (like most of us would) she is going crazy. On the dubious advice of a doctor, she seeks out Ben and Mara Danzinger who tell her what she is seeing is what they call “the Grey.” Or in other words, the world between this reality and the afterlife.

Harper’s world gets more bizarre after a routine missing person case she is working on unveils yet another connection to the Grey.

In classic Hammett-noir fashion, the cases Harper pursues, and the connection to the mysterious increase. The stakes get higher, and the characters get darker. The reader starts to doubt the motives along with the detective and the drama rises to a deadly level.

Wonderfully engaging, and the beginnings of a great series.

8.5 out of 10

by: Heidi Betts
Pages: 311

A light romance, Loves me… is another of the knitting craze inspired romances. I wonder how Madison Avenue thinks this up… I mean are book publishers sitting around bemoaning their lack of creative new story lines and see a woman sitting on a park bench knitting a scarf and go..”That’s it! Romances about knitting! It will sell millions!”

Or they’re sitting around the house on Sunday while hubby flips channels and see a Nascar race and say, “Eureka! Nascar romance!”

We’ve had love in text (do U <3 me?), love with horses, love with cowboys/native Americans, love with gamblers, love with nerds…What’s next?

Rating: 8.25